Motion Picture Herald (Jul-Aug 1943)

8 MOTION PICTURE HERALD July 3 1, 1943 THIS WEEK IN THE NEWS Smear Assignment LAST Saturday the Chicago Tribune began publication of a series of sensational articles which resulted from a special assignment given one of its reporters, Marcia Winn, six weeks ago. It was no ordinary assignment. It came from what the boys in the city room call "the front office," in this case, Col. Robert R. McCormick, publisher. And any city room denizen could tell you how the assignment book would read: "Hollywood smear series — Winn." Roughly speaking, the results come up to the assignment specifications. Miss Winn brings forth all the cliches which were worn out while yellow journalism was still a term of newspaper opprobrium and while the Tribune was achieving a reputation as the yellowest of them all. Included in the array are "white slavery, vice and blackmail." The headlines, in 36-point type, are revealing: "Hollywood Vice Swallows 300 Girls a Month," "Blackmail King in Hollywood — Anthing Goes," "City of Magic, Fantasy, Filth: It's Hollywood." The charges are documented, too, in the tradition of yellow journalism. They are based mostly on the confidences made to Miss Winn by an anonymous California law enforcement officer. Miss Winn is quite peeved, and says so, because studio officials would not give her any facts. The kind of facts she asked for are not specified but neither are the charges she makes. It's a familiar pattern and not particularly difficult for any newspaper to do about any town anywhere. Yates Lifts Limit REPUBLIC, for years growing, has reached the stature of competition with the fullest resources of the eight majors. Herbert J. Yates, executive, last week told production chief M. J. Siegel: "Throw away the rubber band on Republic's bankroll, toss Republic's hat into the personality and directorial buying ring, meet any price competition, and corral the biggest names possible from screen, stage and radio, and secure outstanding story material — regardless of cost." The go-ahead order was given at the company's western regional sales meeting at the studio. Thaw Down Under AUSTRALIA has agreed to release all funds owed to American film producers and to permit the withdrawal of profits from Australian subsidiaries. The agreement runs until June 30, 1944, at which time a new currency pact will be negotiated. News of the end of restrictions on monetary withdrawals was received Tuesday by the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America, Inc., in a cable from Sidney. Approximately $4,000,000 in earnings by NEW division of WPB to exercise theatre control Page 12 MINIMUM of 438 features dispels fear of product shortage Page 13 L. C. GRIFFITH named chairman of War Loan campaign Page 14 INDUSTRY will fill war film gap left by OWI changes Page 15 BENEFIT shows launch "Army;" premiere terms are 70-30 Page 20 DIFFERENT arbitration complaints cannot be combined Page 22 CLARK goes to Hollywood for study of theatre divorcement Page 23 "AUDIENCES want steak, not boloney," says Jack Warner Page 29 ASK WMC to exempt exchange workers from work-week order Page 30 BRITISH showmen plan for operation in post-war period Page 31 SERVICE DEPARTMENTS Hollywood Scene Page 38 Picture Grosses In the Newsreels Page 32 Managers' Round Table Page 47 IN PRODUCT DIGEST SECTION Showmen's Reviews Page 1453 Advance Synopses Page 1456 Shorts on Broadway What the Picture Did for Me Short Subjects Chart The Release Chart Page 46 Page 43 Page 40 Page 1458 Page 1461 American film companies will be released immediately under the new arrangement. The sum represents the 50 per cent of film company profits which were frozen during 1942 and the first six months of 1943. During the balance of this year there will be no restrictions on withdrawals. The action of the Australian Government removes the last of the monetary curbs imposed throughout the British Empire in an effort to stabilize wartime credits and prevent the drain of cash reserves. Film Therapy BEDSIDE motion picture shows in the wards, and regular screen programs in auditoriums of Red Cross and Army hospitals are proving one of the most important factors in the program of convalescent therapy aimed at rehabilitating service men. Both the Red Cross and the services went on record this week with words of gratitude to the motion picture industry and praise for the therapeutic value of screen entertainment. "It hardly can be questioned that the mental relaxation and diversion afforded by the simple entertainment of motion pictures have a very desirable effect on the mental and physical welfare of the sick and injured," the Surgeon General of the Army said, in reference to the hospital motion picture program. Emphasis is upon musicals and comedies in the selection of product for the hospitals. War subjects are avoided, although an occasional, not too heavy, drama is shown to the patients. Dessert GROWING in favor among industrialists eager to increase worker efficiency are the so-called "Midshift Movies," 16mm films shown mostly during lunch periods. Morale in plants offering such films has been boosted enormously, according to the National Recreation Association, which this week issued a booklet, "Recreation for War Workers." Most plants are using two-reel subjects. Those using features have found it best to run two reels at a time. The films are shown in cafeterias, while the workers eat. Music hath charms . . . also to increase the appetite. Such is the conclusion by nutritionist Pauline Yeaton, at Stromberg Carlson's Rochester radio manufacturing plant. Mrs. Yeaton checked cafeteria attendance recently, found it definitely increased when the 17-piece war worker orchestra, "The Modulators," played. Cupid's Curfew HISTORIC Boston Common, the Boston Public Garden nearby and the famed Esplanade no longer will be camping grounds for service men and women after 10 P.M. because military authorities have introduced a curfew system for the duration, placing these notable sections out of bounds. No longer allowed to park there after dark when Cupid is notoriously at his best, motion picture houses in the vicinity look for an influx of service men and women patrons after the curfew rings.